Jonathan Calder
@lordbonkers.bsky.social
Blogger at Liberal England. Expect Dickens, politics, Steve Winwood, canals, British films, Richard Jefferies, Shropshire, Englishness, chess, social history, Malcolm Saville, philosophy, Leicestershire and Rutland, comedy, railways... That sort of thing.
Pinned
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Tim Berners-Lee's vision of the future of the net; the ubiquity of violence against women; a new history of Ireland's Great Famine; a tribute to Jimmy Cliff; the relevance of Edge of Darkness today; a tour of Civil War sites in Shropshire
The Joy of Six 1441
"His central idea, as he has written before, is that people should own their data. Personal data is any data that can be linked to us, such ...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Tim Berners-Lee's vision of the future of the net; the ubiquity of violence against women; a new history of Ireland's Great Famine; a tribute to Jimmy Cliff; the relevance of Edge of Darkness today; a tour of Civil War sites in Shropshire
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
The executive was allegedly caught saying the soup is “s--t for f---ing poor people.”
Campbell’s Boss Fired Over Recording of Him Trashing Its Soup
The executive was allegedly caught saying the soup is “s--t for f---ing poor people.”
trib.al
November 26, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The executive was allegedly caught saying the soup is “s--t for f---ing poor people.”
An 11-year-old beats his second grandmaster in consecutive rounds of the British Championship. The way Supratit keeps control of the position against a dangerous tactician like Simon Williams is hugely impressive. #chess #chesspunks
#3—Supratit Banerjee- 11yo's King march to beat a GM
YouTube video by English Chess Federation
youtu.be
November 26, 2025 at 11:48 PM
An 11-year-old beats his second grandmaster in consecutive rounds of the British Championship. The way Supratit keeps control of the position against a dangerous tactician like Simon Williams is hugely impressive. #chess #chesspunks
A quiet, eerie place, Llyn Dulyn in Eryri (Snowdonia) is steeped not only in an ancient folklore of evil spirits and witches, but also in a more modern ghost story. It was the site of multiple aeroplane crashes during WWII, and became infamous across North Wales.
Llyn Dulyn: The Ghosts of the Black Lake (Nationwide, 1973)
Another Fortean report from Nationwide , the BBC early-evening magazine programme that offered an incomparable portrait of Britain in the Se...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
A quiet, eerie place, Llyn Dulyn in Eryri (Snowdonia) is steeped not only in an ancient folklore of evil spirits and witches, but also in a more modern ghost story. It was the site of multiple aeroplane crashes during WWII, and became infamous across North Wales.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Here is Nigel Farage in June 2024 saying British born and British educated former PM Rishi Sunak doesn't understand "our history" and "our culture". He's an out and out racist. It was possible to criticise Sunak's early leaving of the D-Day celebrations without being racist.
October 1, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Here is Nigel Farage in June 2024 saying British born and British educated former PM Rishi Sunak doesn't understand "our history" and "our culture". He's an out and out racist. It was possible to criticise Sunak's early leaving of the D-Day celebrations without being racist.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Nus Ghani MP - the Deputy Speaker - moved to the UK as a small child. She has been elected by the voters in Wealden in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2024
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
November 26, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Nus Ghani MP - the Deputy Speaker - moved to the UK as a small child. She has been elected by the voters in Wealden in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2024
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
More outright racism from the regular GB News & Talk TV contributor Lucy White - who previously called (on GB News) for all Muslims to leave Britain
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
The new Liberator has dropped! Download issue 432 free of charge from the magazine's website. liberatormagazine.org.uk/recent-issues/
November 25, 2025 at 11:15 AM
The new Liberator has dropped! Download issue 432 free of charge from the magazine's website. liberatormagazine.org.uk/recent-issues/
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
The founder of an investment company who bought an £8.5 million London flat after supplying 50 million faulty PPE masks during the pandemic has had a criminal restraint order imposed on the property.
www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
Financier’s £8.5m flat frozen amid tax investigation over PPE deal
Tim Horlick bought the Pimlico property shortly after his company was awarded the now-contentious £255m contract by the government
www.thetimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:41 PM
The founder of an investment company who bought an £8.5 million London flat after supplying 50 million faulty PPE masks during the pandemic has had a criminal restraint order imposed on the property.
www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/art...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
It is one of the biggest days in the UK political calendar so BBC News channel is giving extensive live coverage to... a shooting of two people in the US. A story worth noting, certainly, but the dominant story on budget day?
November 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
It is one of the biggest days in the UK political calendar so BBC News channel is giving extensive live coverage to... a shooting of two people in the US. A story worth noting, certainly, but the dominant story on budget day?
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
As Garnett says:
"The 2016 referendum, and its consequences, accounted directly for Cameron and May; and while Johnson and Truss found means of self-sabotage, arguably neither would have earned the chance to showcase their ineptitude for leadership without Brexit."
My review from the new Liberator
"The 2016 referendum, and its consequences, accounted directly for Cameron and May; and while Johnson and Truss found means of self-sabotage, arguably neither would have earned the chance to showcase their ineptitude for leadership without Brexit."
My review from the new Liberator
Downing Street Downfalls: The Misadventures of Britain’s Prime Minister Since Thatcher by Mark Garnett
Downing Street Downfalls: The Misadventures of Britain’s Prime Minister Since Thatcher Mark Garnett Agenda, 2025, £20 hbk It’s not a novelty...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 AM
As Garnett says:
"The 2016 referendum, and its consequences, accounted directly for Cameron and May; and while Johnson and Truss found means of self-sabotage, arguably neither would have earned the chance to showcase their ineptitude for leadership without Brexit."
My review from the new Liberator
"The 2016 referendum, and its consequences, accounted directly for Cameron and May; and while Johnson and Truss found means of self-sabotage, arguably neither would have earned the chance to showcase their ineptitude for leadership without Brexit."
My review from the new Liberator
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
26 November 1965 - Small Faces play Marine Ballroom, Morecambe.
The Birds play the Starlite, Sudbury.
The Kinks play the Locarno, Swindon.
The Nashville Teens play California Ballroom, Dunstable.
The Alan Price Set play Leatherhead.
The Hollies play the Music Hall, Shrewsbury.
The Birds play the Starlite, Sudbury.
The Kinks play the Locarno, Swindon.
The Nashville Teens play California Ballroom, Dunstable.
The Alan Price Set play Leatherhead.
The Hollies play the Music Hall, Shrewsbury.
November 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
26 November 1965 - Small Faces play Marine Ballroom, Morecambe.
The Birds play the Starlite, Sudbury.
The Kinks play the Locarno, Swindon.
The Nashville Teens play California Ballroom, Dunstable.
The Alan Price Set play Leatherhead.
The Hollies play the Music Hall, Shrewsbury.
The Birds play the Starlite, Sudbury.
The Kinks play the Locarno, Swindon.
The Nashville Teens play California Ballroom, Dunstable.
The Alan Price Set play Leatherhead.
The Hollies play the Music Hall, Shrewsbury.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
My 7 year old just reached for a piece of pizza fresh out of the oven and exclaimed, in the same tone as an adult swearing…
“English folklore, that’s hot!”
I choked laughing ENGLISH FOLKLORE AS A SWEAR? WHO ARE YOU?!?
“English folklore, that’s hot!”
I choked laughing ENGLISH FOLKLORE AS A SWEAR? WHO ARE YOU?!?
November 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM
My 7 year old just reached for a piece of pizza fresh out of the oven and exclaimed, in the same tone as an adult swearing…
“English folklore, that’s hot!”
I choked laughing ENGLISH FOLKLORE AS A SWEAR? WHO ARE YOU?!?
“English folklore, that’s hot!”
I choked laughing ENGLISH FOLKLORE AS A SWEAR? WHO ARE YOU?!?
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Chilly start to the day - ice on the Oxford Canal near Cropredy - got down to -5 °C last night.
#UKCanals #OxfordCanal #Cropredy
#UKCanals #OxfordCanal #Cropredy
November 26, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Chilly start to the day - ice on the Oxford Canal near Cropredy - got down to -5 °C last night.
#UKCanals #OxfordCanal #Cropredy
#UKCanals #OxfordCanal #Cropredy
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Lord Bonkers' Diary: A phone number for the Overton-Window twins
"We Liberal Democrats have been drawn in the Group of Death at next summer’s ALDE T20 competition, along with Democraten 66, Radikale Venstre and Liberals d'Andorra." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2025/11/lord...
"We Liberal Democrats have been drawn in the Group of Death at next summer’s ALDE T20 competition, along with Democraten 66, Radikale Venstre and Liberals d'Andorra." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2025/11/lord...
November 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Lord Bonkers' Diary: A phone number for the Overton-Window twins
"We Liberal Democrats have been drawn in the Group of Death at next summer’s ALDE T20 competition, along with Democraten 66, Radikale Venstre and Liberals d'Andorra." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2025/11/lord...
"We Liberal Democrats have been drawn in the Group of Death at next summer’s ALDE T20 competition, along with Democraten 66, Radikale Venstre and Liberals d'Andorra." liberalengland.blogspot.com/2025/11/lord...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
THREAD.
3 years ago, with no warning, a brilliant orange farm cat wandered over from the draughty barn where he had been living, in rural Cornwall, and decided he wanted to live with us instead.
We decided to call him Jim.
This is the first photo I took of him, on that night: December 1st, 2022.
3 years ago, with no warning, a brilliant orange farm cat wandered over from the draughty barn where he had been living, in rural Cornwall, and decided he wanted to live with us instead.
We decided to call him Jim.
This is the first photo I took of him, on that night: December 1st, 2022.
November 26, 2025 at 8:44 PM
THREAD.
3 years ago, with no warning, a brilliant orange farm cat wandered over from the draughty barn where he had been living, in rural Cornwall, and decided he wanted to live with us instead.
We decided to call him Jim.
This is the first photo I took of him, on that night: December 1st, 2022.
3 years ago, with no warning, a brilliant orange farm cat wandered over from the draughty barn where he had been living, in rural Cornwall, and decided he wanted to live with us instead.
We decided to call him Jim.
This is the first photo I took of him, on that night: December 1st, 2022.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Of course it's not workable.
Well done LibDem MP Josh Barbarinde for spelling it out in the House of Commons.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/11/26/e...
Well done LibDem MP Josh Barbarinde for spelling it out in the House of Commons.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/11/26/e...
Gay MP perfectly explains why single-sex spaces guidance is 'unworkable'
A Lib Dem MP perfectly explained in parliament why the EHRC's draft single-space guidance is "unworkable".
www.thepinknews.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Of course it's not workable.
Well done LibDem MP Josh Barbarinde for spelling it out in the House of Commons.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/11/26/e...
Well done LibDem MP Josh Barbarinde for spelling it out in the House of Commons.
www.thepinknews.com/2025/11/26/e...
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Liberal England Gold...
The Who: Substitute
I was 16 when The Who re-released Substitute in 1976. I went out and bought it because it was so much better than anything else in the charts at the time.
The Who: Substitute
I was 16 when The Who re-released Substitute in 1976. I went out and bought it because it was so much better than anything else in the charts at the time.
The Who: Substitute
I was 16 when The Who re-released Substitute in 1976. I went out and bought it because it was so much better than anything else in the chart...
liberalengland.blogspot.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Liberal England Gold...
The Who: Substitute
I was 16 when The Who re-released Substitute in 1976. I went out and bought it because it was so much better than anything else in the charts at the time.
The Who: Substitute
I was 16 when The Who re-released Substitute in 1976. I went out and bought it because it was so much better than anything else in the charts at the time.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Here's a picture of Mary Habberfield, who, as the sound editor for Ealing Studios, was responsible for the famous 'Guggle Glub Gurgle' sound effect from 'The Man in the White Suit'.
It only took five years to find a photo of her. 🤷♂️
It only took five years to find a photo of her. 🤷♂️
November 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Here's a picture of Mary Habberfield, who, as the sound editor for Ealing Studios, was responsible for the famous 'Guggle Glub Gurgle' sound effect from 'The Man in the White Suit'.
It only took five years to find a photo of her. 🤷♂️
It only took five years to find a photo of her. 🤷♂️
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
this is amazing news - the HPV vaccine promises to eliminate cervical cancer in countries where uptake is high.
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
this is amazing news - the HPV vaccine promises to eliminate cervical cancer in countries where uptake is high.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Next it will be naturalized citizens (my husband). Then American-born dual citizens (my kids). No, that's not legal. Neither is this.
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Next it will be naturalized citizens (my husband). Then American-born dual citizens (my kids). No, that's not legal. Neither is this.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
On Truss & Kwarteng in ‘22. Allister Heath, Telegraph: “the best budget I have ever heard a British chancellor deliver". Alex Brummer, Mail: “a genuine Tory package elbowing to one side the Treasury's fiscal conservatism".
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
November 26, 2025 at 4:32 PM
On Truss & Kwarteng in ‘22. Allister Heath, Telegraph: “the best budget I have ever heard a British chancellor deliver". Alex Brummer, Mail: “a genuine Tory package elbowing to one side the Treasury's fiscal conservatism".
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
These men will now be paid actual money for their analysis of today’s budget.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
They were fortunate in living in the era of the breech-loader, which is so much safer than the old muzzle-loading gun.
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
November 24, 2025 at 6:29 PM
They were fortunate in living in the era of the breech-loader, which is so much safer than the old muzzle-loading gun.
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
#BevisTheStoryOfABoy #RichardJefferies #Bevis
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
One of Keir Starmer’s tragedies is that his political instincts are much better than his hiring ones, which is why so many stories have the form of “Starmer [wanted to do something they obviously had to do]. But his chancellor and his chief aide convinced him they should hold out, fruitlessly”.
November 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
One of Keir Starmer’s tragedies is that his political instincts are much better than his hiring ones, which is why so many stories have the form of “Starmer [wanted to do something they obviously had to do]. But his chancellor and his chief aide convinced him they should hold out, fruitlessly”.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Oh, the gambling industry is cross about the budget. Suddenly, I feel somewhat more positive about it.
November 26, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Oh, the gambling industry is cross about the budget. Suddenly, I feel somewhat more positive about it.
Reposted by Jonathan Calder
Sometimes the world outside the therapy room is too overwhelming even for those trying to help.
My interview with my friend and former colleague, clinical psychologist Guy Holmes, about his experience working in mental health services in decline.
midpsy.uk/2025/11/26/b...
My interview with my friend and former colleague, clinical psychologist Guy Holmes, about his experience working in mental health services in decline.
midpsy.uk/2025/11/26/b...
Broken by the system
In the latest issue of Asylum magazine, our colleague and friend, clinical psychologist Guy Holmes, shares his experience of being made ill by the very same system which is supposed to help those i…
midpsy.uk
November 26, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Sometimes the world outside the therapy room is too overwhelming even for those trying to help.
My interview with my friend and former colleague, clinical psychologist Guy Holmes, about his experience working in mental health services in decline.
midpsy.uk/2025/11/26/b...
My interview with my friend and former colleague, clinical psychologist Guy Holmes, about his experience working in mental health services in decline.
midpsy.uk/2025/11/26/b...